LEOMINSTER -- Several city councilors on Wednesday expressed shock that Police Chief Robert Healey had been placed on administrative leave after what the police union described as a "physical altercation" with two subordinates, and voiced support for an outside investigation.

"I hope we can get an investigator in there, who doesn't have a dog in the fight, and find out exactly what happened," said Councilor-at-Large Robert Salvatelli, who added that his only knowledge of what occurred came from what he read in the newspaper and "rumors" he's heard.

On Monday afternoon, Healey allegedly had a "physical altercation" with two subordinates inside the police station, according to a press release from Elvin Vasquez, president of the department's patrolmen's union.

After Mayor Dean Mazzarella was alerted to the situation, he placed Healey on paid leave, named Lt. Michael Goldman as interim chief and announced an independent investigation of the incident.

"I hope they find out all the facts," said Salvatelli about the investigation.

He also acknowledged the allegation is something of black eye for the city.

"I know this looks bad for the city," he said.

Ward 4 Councilor Mark Bodanza said he was "shocked" after he received the phone call from Council President Richard Marchand on Monday afternoon about Healey's administrative leave.

"I've known Healey for a long time. We played football together and graduated from high school together," Bodanza said.

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He also said the allegation of the altercation was uncharacteristic of the Healey he knows.

"I certainly don't think he was prone to the uncontrolled behavior that was suggested in the press release," said Bodanza, who acknowledged that he didn't know the full details about the confrontation.

Because of that, he "fully expects that there is much more to the story. This is just the tip of the iceberg."

He, like Salvatelli, believes Mazzarella made the correct move when announcing there would be an outside investigation of the incident.

"I think the mayor's suggestion of an independent authority or investigator to look at what is alleged is the appropriate way to go. Someone who is going to look at this with a fresh set of eyes. Picking it apart is in everybody's best interest, including the residents of Leominster," said Bodanza.

He was also concerned about the morale of the department's officers following the incident.

"The last thing you want is a police department with bad morale or a division. That's not good for anyone who works there or the people that they serve," he said.

Councilor-at-Large John Dombrowski, like his peers, was shocked when he learned of the allegation and Healey's suspension.

"It's embarrassing for the city," he said.

When asked whether having an outside investigation of the incident, he said he didn't have enough information to make a decision if it was needed.

Despite that, "I'm hoping for a speedy resolution."

He, like Bodanza, has a high opinion of Healey.

"The chief has always been a great guy and a stand-up guy. I really hope it works out," said Dombrowski.

His sentiment of Healey was shared by At-large Councilor Claire Freda.

"I was very surprised. This is very out of character for him," she said.

She is also looking forward to an outside investigation into what occurred.

"There are two sides to every story. Let's let the investigation play out and deal with the results," said Freda.

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